Wine Accessories and Product Reviews

Thermal Concrete Wine Chiller: This chiller by Angle 33 looks great and works exceptionally well. We now use ours almost every evening. The wine thermal can act as a chiller but we find it works best to maintain temperature for a perfectly chilled or cellared wine. The thermal is chilled in the refrigerator so ice is never used. The attractively colored thermal concrete is sealed so it does not sweat or get wet on the sides and bottom. Therefore there is no sloppy ice chiller drip.

The Angle 33 Thermal is hand crafted in Montana (see how it is made here). Priced at $64.99, the Angle 33 Premium Concrete Thermal is as handsome as it is functional. Angle 33 also offers matching coasters.

Grapeseed Oils and Flour: Earlier this year we found these delicious grapeseed oils from Salute Santé! in Napa, CA. They make a high smoke point cooking oil as well as herb-flavored and grape variety-specific finishing oils. GMO free, they have replaced olive oils in our kitchen. The gluten-free grapeseed flour is a great addition (20%-30%) to whole grain bread flours and gluten-free flours, creating a nutty richness. Read my personal story about the natural cholesterol reducing effects of Salute Santé! Grapeseed OilContinue reading »

Damn, it’s hot outside. We really enjoy sipping wine on the Bacchus and Beery patio all summer long. Nothing puts a damper on a good glass of vino than summer heat. Of course, you can keep your wine in a messy chiller or ice bucket but then it gets too cold to taste all the subtle flavors and you’re left waiting for it to warm up to the perfect not too hot…not too cold Goldilocks temperature.

Recently we received two sample products that claim to help beat the summer heat…and we love them! Take a look at these unique wine temperature control solutions. Both will make outstanding gifts or additions to your home.Continue reading »

Through Halo Branded Solutions we have found a classy and elegant solution to our wine gift and promotional dilemmas. While we are wine lovers in the professional service industry, these customizable wine accessories would be equally effective promotional as marketing tools for wineries with tasting rooms, restaurants and caterers, culinary schools, wine distributors and wine retailers.Continue reading »

Many California wine lovers have heard the stories of Napa and Sonoma pioneers from the 1960’s, 70’s and earlier. Even the movie Bottle Shock celebrated their early successes. But what about now? Who are the rising wine stars that wine lovers need to know? Many of the up and comers have it in their genes…they are the children, grandchildren and even in some cases the great-grandchildren of the early wine country pioneers.

Due out early February 2013 is the beautifully written and photographed book, Rock and Vine which “reveals the lives and innovations of next generation changemakers in California’s wine country.Continue reading »

Let’s be clear… I do not like leftover wine. I’m the guy who walks into a wine bar and refuses a glass from last night’s bottle. I know… wine snob…too picky, etc. So when I tell you the skybar™ ONE Wine Systemreally works to keep wine perfectly fresh for days, believe me.

While leftover wine is a myth in our home, many wine lovers just want a single glass of great wine but hate the idea of the rest of the bottle going bad or simply losing flavor over a few days. Over time we have tried many wine preservation systems but none, in my opinion, really did the job for my picky palate. The skybar™ ONE Wine System changed my mind. However, it is expensive . The skybar™ ONE Wine System is available through the skybar™ website ($349 now on sale, normally $599), selected retailers and wine catalogs. We did find the skybar™ ONE Wine System for sale online for under $300.Continue reading »